Saint Paul, Minn., August 16, 2017 – The Stonewall DFL Caucus of Minnesota announced its endorsement of Marcia Sytsma for Bloomington School Board, Nancy Robinett for Saint Anthony Village City Council, Brian Shekleton for Saint Louis Park City Council in Ward 1 and Rachel Harris for Saint Louis Park City Council in Ward 3.

“With less than three months until election day, Stonewall DFL continues to engage candidates in important community conversations focused on LGBTQ issues,” said Del Jenkins, Stonewall DFL – Chair. “Our committee volunteers and Board members have interviewed nearly six dozen candidates for office this election cycle so that Minnesotans know which candidates support LGBTQ equality.”

Endorsed candidates meet or exceed Stonewall DFL’s screening criteria as set forth by its Political Support committee and affirmed by at least 60 percent majority of the Stonewall DFL Board of Directors. A full list of Stonewall DFL endorsed candidates is available via their online Voter’s Guide. Information about the endorsement process is available on the Stonewall DFL website at www.dfl.org/stonewall/endorsements/2017-candidate-questionnaires/

Stonewall DFL works for a safe and equitable Minnesota by electing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and allied Democrats to public office in Minnesota and to party office in the Minnesota DFL. The caucus offers endorsements for local, state and federal DFL candidates who support equality for all Minnesotans. Stonewall DFL provides endorsed candidates with both financial and volunteer support whenever possible. The Board of Directors meets on a monthly basis to carry out the business of the caucus and is open to the public. For information, visit dfl.org/stonewall, join its Facebook page or follow @StonewallDFL on Twitter.

The Minnesota Stonewall DFL Caucus was first organized in August 1980 as the LGBTF Caucus. Its charter was recognized by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota in 1982 and was renamed Stonewall DFL in 1992. Today, Stonewall is the DFL’s oldest and most active community caucus and the oldest continuously-operating political advocacy organization whose mission is to promote LGBTQ equality across the state of Minnesota.

Saint Paul, Minn., July 18, 2017 – The Stonewall DFL Caucus of Minnesota announced its endorsement of Zack Filipovich for Duluth City Council, Larry Fonnest for Golden Valley City Council, Anne Mavity for Saint Louis Park City Council in Ward 2, Chris Meyer for Minneapolis Park Board District 1 and Marny Xiong for Saint Paul School Board.

“As we enter the final four months of the election cycle, Stonewall DFL continues to work hard by screening and engaging candidates in a dialogue with the LGBTQ community members,” said Del Jenkins, Stonewall DFL – Chair. “Our committee volunteers and Board members interviewed more than 60 candidates for office this election cycle and are proud to offer guidance on which of them will best support our fight for equality in Minnesota,”

Endorsed candidates meet or exceed Stonewall DFL’s screening criteria as set forth by its Political Support committee and affirmed by at least 60 percent majority of the Stonewall DFL Board of Directors. A full list of Stonewall DFL endorsed candidates is available via their online Voter’s Guide. Information about the endorsement process is available on the Stonewall DFL website at www.dfl.org/stonewall/endorsements/2017-candidate-questionnaires/

Additional candidates may be screened in August. Any races where both the written questionnaires and screenings have been completed for all DFL candidates in a race will be considered for endorsement at the August 13 Board meeting. All meetings will be announced on the organization’s Facebook page and the Stonewall DFL website.

About Stonewall DFL

Stonewall DFL works for a safe and equitable Minnesota by electing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and allied Democrats to public office in Minnesota and to party office in the Minnesota DFL. The caucus offers endorsements for local, state and federal DFL candidates who support equality for all Minnesotans. Stonewall DFL provides endorsed candidates with both financial and volunteer support whenever possible. The Board of Directors meets on a monthly basis to carry out the business of the caucus and is open to the public. For information, visit dfl.org/stonewall, join its Facebook page or follow @StonewallDFL on Twitter.

The Minnesota Stonewall DFL Caucus was first organized in August 1980 as the LGBTF Caucus. Its charter was recognized by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota in 1982 and was renamed Stonewall DFL in 1992. Today, Stonewall is the DFL’s oldest and most active community caucus and the oldest continuously-operating political advocacy organization whose mission is to promote LGBTQ equality across the state of Minnesota.

The Twin Cities Pride Festival, held on Saturday and Sunday, June 24 – 25, 2017 is one of the largest Pride Festivals in the country with as many as 500,000 in attendance. Stonewall DFL will have a booth with information for festival goers Loring Park as well as participate in the annual Ashley Rukes Pride Parade on Sunday afternoon.

As one of the benefits of our endorsement process, we invite candidates and DFL elected officials who have been endorsed by Stonewall DFL to join us for both provided the following rules are adhered to:

Only candidates running for office in 2017 in the Twin Cities metro area with a Stonewall DFL endorsement are permitted. Candidates who have not earned the Stonewall DFL endorsement may not participate.

DFL elected officials who support the Stonewall DFL mission can participate as an elected official only. If they currently hold an elected office and are running for a different office, they may not be affiliated with a campaign unless they have received the DFL endorsement for the active race.

Candidates and elected officials for Federal level offices must coordinate their own activities directly with Twin Cities Pride per parade and festival guidelines for registration.

Festival/Booth

To participate in the space provided for the Stonewall DFL booth, candidates and elected officials who meet the criteria above may distribute literature and conduct ‘meet & greet’ activities. For more information, contact Del Jenkins at 612-229-3355 or deldjenkins@yahoo.com.

Stonewall endorsed campaigns should provide 25-50 pieces of campaign literature and 2 lawn signs (with hardware) to Del Jenkins by June 21. Reasonable attempts will be made to return unused literature and signs before July 1.

Booth volunteers are needed. Please contact Del Jenkins to sign up.

Sunday Pride Parade

To march in the Stonewall DFL parade unit, candidates and elected officials must meet the participation criteria above. Elected officials will ride in the DFL bus and candidates for office will be assigned a number of volunteer slots that can be filled by candidates and campaign volunteers. For more information, contact Hannah Slovut at 763-528-8217 or hanna.slovut@gmail.com.

Candidates and elected officials from outside the Twin Cities metro region, please contact Del Jenkins for either Festival or Parade participation (or both).

“As we get close to celebrating LGBTQ Pride month in Minnesota, we are proud of the work our many volunteers have done in the past six months to engage and evaluate candidates in the state’s two largest cities as well as in communities from around the metro area,” said Del Jenkins, Stonewall DFL – Chair. “Our endorsed candidates all enter the month of June with resounding support from our caucus and the momentum of members of the LGBTQ community united behind them to support us in our ongoing fight for equality.”

Endorsed candidates meet or exceed Stonewall DFL’s screening criteria as set forth by its Political Support Committee and affirmed by at least 60 percent majority of the Stonewall DFL Board of Directors. A full list of Stonewall DFL endorsed candidates is available via their online Voter’s Guide. Information about the endorsement process is available on the Stonewall DFL website at www.dfl.org/stonewall/endorsements/2017-candidate-questionnaires/

Stonewall DFL works for a safe and equitable Minnesota by electing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and allied Democrats to public office in Minnesota and to party office in the Minnesota DFL. The caucus offers endorsements for local, state and federal DFL candidates who support equality for all Minnesotans. Stonewall DFL provides endorsed candidates with both financial and volunteer support whenever possible. The Board of Directors meets on a monthly basis to carry out the business of the caucus and is open to the public. For information, visit dfl.org/stonewall, join its Facebook page or follow @StonewallDFL on Twitter.

The Minnesota Stonewall DFL Caucus was first organized in August 1980 as the LGBTF Caucus. Its charter was recognized by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota in 1982 and was renamed Stonewall DFL in 1992. Today, Stonewall is the DFL’s oldest and most active community caucus and the oldest continuously-operating political advocacy organization whose mission is to promote LGBTQ equality across the state of Minnesota.

The Board of Directors meeting starts at 2:00 and may be delayed slightly if we need to screen more candidates or finish our committee business. Screenings past this date are not likely.

Members need to have joined 7 days prior to any screening or meeting date in order to participate in the event per the Stonewall DFL Constitution. Non-members may view quietly. All must turn off your cell phones while in the screening room.

All candidates must complete an online questionnaire prior to being assigned an appointment time for in-person screenings.

Candidates will be screened on May 13 in the following races:

Minneapolis Park Board

Saint Paul School Board

Any other Statewide municipal, school board or county races

The next meeting of the Board of Directors where endorsement votes will be cast is also scheduled for May 13.

A full list of Stonewall DFL endorsed candidates is available via their online Voter’s Guide.

Candidates seeking our endorsement are strongly encouraged to begin this process right away. Response to our questionnaire this cycle is already far past historic levels. We are very excited about having such a wonderful set of candidates to consider across so many geographies statewide for endorsement.

Members in good standing are invited, welcomed, and encouraged to participate as we screen candidates too! Members must have their dues in 7 days before participating in order to be in good standing. To participate on the May 13th screening date, please have your dues in by May 6th.

Saint Paul, Minn., April 10, 2017 – The Stonewall DFL Caucus of Minnesota announced its endorsement of Jacob Frey for Minneapolis Mayor, Gabe Aderhold for Edina School Board and seven more Minneapolis City Council and Minneapolis Park Board contests.

“After more than five months of work by our committee volunteers and Board members, we are thrilled to have engaged in conversations with more than 50 candidates for office this cycle and are proud that we’ve made endorsement recommendations in almost every Minneapolis race this year,” said Del Jenkins, Stonewall DFL – Chair. “Interest in gaining the Stonewall DFL endorsement is at an all-time high and we’re excited to have so many responses across the metro area. Our endorsements provide convention delegates, as well as the general voting public, a tremendous guide to the candidates who most strongly represent the voices of equality in Minnesota.”

Endorsed candidates meet or exceed Stonewall DFL’s screening criteria as set forth by its Political Support Committee and affirmed by at least two-thirds majority of the Stonewall DFL Board of Directors. A full list of Stonewall DFL endorsed candidates is available via their online Voter’s Guide. Information about the endorsement process is available on the Stonewall DFL website at www.dfl.org/stonewall/endorsements/2017-candidate-questionnaires/

Additional candidates will be screened in May. The next meeting of the Board of Directors where endorsement votes will be cast is scheduled for May 13. Any races where both the written questionnaires and screenings have been completed for all DFL candidates in a race will be considered for endorsement at the May 13 meeting. All meetings will be announced on the organization’s Facebook page and the Stonewall DFL website.

About Stonewall DFL

Stonewall DFL works for a safe and equitable Minnesota by electing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and allied Democrats to public office in Minnesota and to party office in the Minnesota DFL. The caucus offers endorsements for local, state and federal DFL candidates who support equality for all Minnesotans. Stonewall DFL provides endorsed candidates with both financial and volunteer support whenever possible. The Board of Directors meets on a monthly basis to carry out the business of the caucus and is open to the public. For information, visit dfl.org/stonewall, join its Facebook page or follow @StonewallDFL on Twitter.

The Minnesota Stonewall DFL Caucus was first organized in August 1980 as the LGBTF Caucus. Its charter was recognized by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota in 1982 and was renamed Stonewall DFL in 1992. Today, Stonewall is the DFL’s oldest and most active community caucus and the oldest continuously-operating political advocacy organization whose mission is to promote LGBTQ equality across the state of Minnesota.

Saint Paul, Minn., March 20, 2017 – The Stonewall DFL Caucus of Minnesota announced its endorsement of Melvin Carter for Saint Paul Mayor, Carol Becker and David Wheeler for the Minneapolis Board of Estimate and Taxation in city-wide races in addition to five candidates running for Minneapolis City Council.

“We were impressed with all of the candidates who approached us for an endorsement this year, but are especially proud that six candidates come from within the LGBTQ community,” said Del Jenkins, Stonewall DFL – Chair. “We are excited that after 37 years of endorsing candidates in state-wide and municipal races, this year could see the election of our 1st Minnesotan who self-identifies as transgender elected to public office.”

Carol Becker, David Wheeler, Jillia Pessenda, Phillipe Cunningham, Andrea Jenkins and Gary Schiff are all members of the Minnesota LGBTQ community.

“Our endorsements also reflect strong voices of support from community allies like Melvin Carter, Steve Fletcher and Lisa Goodman who have each pledged their support in the fight for equality of all LGBTQ Minnesotans,” said Marvin Innes, Stonewall DFL – Co-chair. “We are thankful for their open dialog with members of our community and look forward to working with their progressive voices which will continue propelling our state toward inclusion and acceptance of all.”

Endorsed candidates meet or exceed Stonewall DFL’s screening criteria as set forth by its Political Support committee and affirmed by at least two-thirds majority of the Stonewall DFL Board of Directors. A full list of Stonewall DFL endorsed candidates is available via their online Voter’s Guide. Information about the endorsement process is available on the Stonewall DFL website at www.dfl.org/stonewall/endorsements/2017-candidate-questionnaires/

Additional candidates may be screened on April 8 and at future screening sessions in the following races:

Minneapolis Mayor

Minneapolis City Council Ward 1, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

Minneapolis Park Board At-Large and Districts 1-6

Saint Paul School Board

Other municipal, school board or county races

The next meeting of the Board of Directors where endorsement votes will be cast is scheduled for April 9. Any races where both the written questionnaires and screenings have been completed for all DFL candidates in a race will be considered for endorsement at the April 9 meeting. All meetings will be announced on the organization’s Facebook page and the Stonewall DFL website.

About Stonewall DFL

Stonewall DFL works for a safe and equitable Minnesota by electing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and allied Democrats to public office in Minnesota and to party office in the Minnesota DFL. The caucus offers endorsements for local, state and federal DFL candidates who support equality for all Minnesotans. Stonewall DFL provides endorsed candidates with both financial and volunteer support whenever possible. The Board of Directors meets on a monthly basis to carry out the business of the caucus and is open to the public. For information, visit dfl.org/stonewall, join its Facebook page or follow @StonewallDFL on Twitter.

The Minnesota Stonewall DFL Caucus was first organized in August 1980 as the LGBTF Caucus. Its charter was recognized by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota in 1982 and was renamed Stonewall DFL in 1992. Today, Stonewall is the DFL’s oldest and most active community caucus and the oldest continuously-operating political advocacy organization whose mission is to promote LGBTQ equality across the state of Minnesota.